Luminaire utilizing waveguide

Abstract

An optical waveguide comprising orthogonal x- and y-dimensions and developing an illumination distribution pattern comprising orthogonal x- and y-extents, comprising at least one coupling feature for directing light into the waveguide, at least one light redirection feature for redirecting light in an x-y plane within the waveguide, and at least one light extraction feature for extracting light out of the waveguide in an illumination pattern comprising at least one of the x- and y-extents that is offset with respect to the x- and y-dimensions, respectively. Additionally, the optical waveguide comprises optical features on at least first, second, and third sides thereof.

We claim: 
     
       1. An optical waveguide comprising orthogonal x- and y-dimensions and developing an illumination distribution pattern comprising orthogonal x- and y-extents, comprising:
 at least one coupling cavity for directing light into the waveguide; 
 at least one light redirection feature disposed within the optical waveguide for redirecting light in an x-y plane within the waveguide; and 
 at least one light extraction feature for extracting light out of the waveguide in an illumination pattern; 
 wherein the illumination pattern comprises at least one of the x- and y-extents that is offset with respect to the x- and y-dimensions, respectively; 
 wherein the at least one light redirection feature, the at least one light extraction feature, and the least one coupling cavity are disposed on first, second, and third sides of the optical waveguide; and 
 wherein the third side is transverse to and between the first and second sides. 
 
     
     
       2. The optical waveguide of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light extraction feature comprises one or more extraction features on each of the first and second sides of the optical waveguide, and wherein the first side is opposite the second side. 
     
     
       3. The optical waveguide of  claim 2  wherein the one or more light extraction features on the first side of the optical waveguide extend perpendicular to the one or more extraction features on the second side of the optical waveguide. 
     
     
       4. The optical waveguide of  claim 1  wherein the at least one light redirection feature is a cavity on the first side of the optical waveguide. 
     
     
       5. The optical waveguide of  claim 1  wherein the at least one extraction feature comprises first and second extraction features disposed transverse to one another on the first side of the optical waveguide. 
     
     
       6. The optical waveguide of  claim 1  wherein the at least one light redirection feature is disposed on the at least one light extraction feature. 
     
     
       7. The optical waveguide of  claim 1  wherein a combination of the at least one light redirection feature and the at least one light extraction feature develop the illumination pattern comprising at least one of the x- and y- extents that is offset with respect to the x- and y-dimensions, respectively.